Just curious, but how about posting some of your shots that you've post-processed accompanied by the original (resized to fit on-screen, of course). I figure this will be a great way to showcase any effects people add.

The majority of my shots only go thru curve, saturation, resizing, but I'll look for something to put up as well.

Sheesh......okay, just dug up one old photo and just ran thru another real quick. This ins't much since nothing fancy was done, but it's better than nothing.

Michigan Ave during X-mas time a couple years back. I think this was one of the few shots I used my 18-55mm for before I sold it. Basically, made it mostly B&W but left color in the ribbon on the weath. I tried to make it a bit drag, though.

Before:

After:

Taken walking to the Big House for the UMich/WI game a few weeks back. I liked the graffiti so, after the game, I grabbed my dSLR from the car (it wasn't allowed in stadium) and snapped this. Post-processing was basically color correction and I tried to make the light transition under the bridge a little bit more dramatic....to make it look more like a tunnel entrance. I like it, but the gf was not impressed. Then again, she's wearing a MSU shirt right now...

Im worried that my edits wont look as good as some of the originals haha.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpsu07

Is there any good guide for post processing? I need some help Most of my pics go through level, contrast/brightness. Very basic editing...lol

An indirect point to this thread is also constructive criticism. I'm not intending this thread to be used by anyone to stroke their ego. Some people here have put up some pretty sweet stuff in the past while, at the same time, others have asked for help. I see this as a thread as a mix of both...requesting help, seeing what's possible, sharing ideas, etc... I have lots to learn as well.

I realize there some might not want to share what they do and that's fine. Although I would hope it isn't out of someone not wanting to think their pix suck w/o lots of post-processing.

I think it would be helpful for others if you guys also post what settings you changed (and maybe how you changed them).

Mark, that last one is pretty cool. Your original looked nice, but I like what you did with it.

Thanks. Took a while to get all the people and signs and cars out to make it look believably old. Then when I was done I noticed the girl near the center of the pic with modern clothing. Missed her while I was removing the others.

I use a set of actions called "Totally Rad Actions" for most of my post work. It's a very powerful set of tools that have actions for almost everything you'd need.

I start out by removing distracting elements from the photos. Then I do a bunch of dodging/burning to bring out the highlights/shadows to bring focus on the areas I want. In this particular set, I applied a black and white filter, set it to about 80% and masked out the car and parts of the road that I wanted to bring more color back into. I applied a blue tint to the scene and masked out the car so it would pop more (but allowing a little blue tint so it wouldn't look totally out of place). I made sure the car and the road popped (even in the background) because that was my focus. That's pretty much it.

I use a set of actions called "Totally Rad Actions" for most of my post work. It's a very powerful set of tools that have actions for almost everything you'd need.

I start out by removing distracting elements from the photos. Then I do a bunch of dodging/burning to bring out the highlights/shadows to bring focus on the areas I want. In this particular set, I applied a black and white filter, set it to about 80% and masked out the car and parts of the road that I wanted to bring more color back into. I applied a blue tint to the scene and masked out the car so it would pop more (but allowing a little blue tint so it wouldn't look totally out of place). I made sure the car and the road popped (even in the background) because that was my focus. That's pretty much it.

Nice work. The clouds are awesome looking. Did you create the actions or are they available somewhere?

One of the best photo investments I have ever made. What I love most about them is they aren't just simple "looks" that you choose and apply to a photo. They are a bunch of small building blocks that allow you to take your creativity further. There are a bunch of single action looks as well, but the fact that they get applied as new layers allows you to really make them unique.